REFORM AND REVOLUTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 67, 19 March 1910, Page 5

REFORM AND REVOLUTION.

TRADITIONS OF THE LORDS. I.ANSDOWNE OS . THE . SCHEME. COlONiaii REJPS.ESEWTATI9N. (By Cables—Press Association.— LONDON, March 18. In the House of Lords to-day the resolution of Lord Rosebery that the House go into committee to consider methods for the reform of the Chamber was further discussed.

Lord Courtney discussed the resolution from the standpoint of the divergence of the two Houses. Incidentally he criticised the House of Commons as not being a true council of the nation, owing to the absence of representation of some of the great elements, just as other great elements were not represented in the House of Lords. He concluded Dy detailing' his echeme for the representation in the House of Lords of capital, labour, and Nationalists.

The Marquis of Lansdowne (Leader of the Opposition) dwelt on the seriousness of the propesal to ask a large number of peers to surrender their duties and privileges. He hoped X.ord Rosebery would submit an ultimate scheme for continuity, keeping on the right side .of the line between reform and revolution. The House was a going concern with considerable goodwill, which ought not to be sacrificed.

If new blood were introduced, old traditions should be retained. He would greatly regret any alteration in the name of the House. He trusted that any system of reform that might be adopted, would be on an equitable and reasonable basis, not excluding the hereditary principle. The country's recent verdict was no wholesale condemnation. The principle of reform should be simple. One picturesque and attractive but riot practical suggestion had favoured including representatives from the oversea dominions. Surely an Imperial Parliament was one thing and a Second Chamber another. He would like to ask those familiar with opinion in the great colonies whether the latter greatly desired to be associated with the Motherland in the every-day work of legislation. He did not think the Dominions would part with their best men for the purpose of attending Parliaments in England, nor would they be grateful for the amount of representation granted, which would necessarily be smalL He concluded bj reviewing various practical methods of reform.

The Earl of Crewe said he did not oppose Lord Rosebery's resolution, but the primary urgent question concerned the relations of the two Houses. What was unpopular was not the hereditary principle, but the uncontrolled exercise of the hereditary power. The resolution was then agreed to. and the House went into committee and afterwards adjourned till Monday.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS.

SEVENTY-FIVE CONSTITUENCIES. LONDON. March 18. The "Times" say 3 the Government's present plan of electing the Second Chamber is to subdivide Britain and Ireland into seventy-five enormous constituencies, each returning two members, the senior for eight years and the junior for four years, members elected to replace the latter to serve the remaining four years. Mr. Herbert Samuel (PostmasterGeneral), speaking at Basingstoke last night, said the hereditary principle muse go-

FOMTXCAX. GAMBtIKG.

LOBD CTTRZON'S STRONG SPEECH. LONDON, March 18. Lord Curzon, speaking at the Junior Constitutional Club, and referring to the Government's position, as affected by the elections, said there was no greater instance of sudden catastrophe and disintegration. The Government's tactics, he said, were intended to prolong their existence, postpone their defeat, embarrass the finances, and produce confusion that would jpit their enemies in a false position. The country expected broadminded, dispassionate statesmanship. It did not expect the Government's policy to be actuated by the spirit of a political gamibler. The country, Lord Curzon asserted, did not intend the House of Lords to go. The Government were not exactly Cromwells, competent to destroy one of two Houses. It was not by any sham xvooespierres that any great revolution could be carried. The constitution of the House of Lords should follow on broad and generous lines. He hoped that the approaching election would return a party strong enough to carry such reforms of the constitution as were required, and pass sound measures of fiscal and social reform.

NO SHAM FIGHTING.

IRELAND AND THE VETO CAMPAIGN. LONDON, March 18. Mr. Redmond., speaking at an Irish banquet in London, said the Nationalists were anxious to prevent the failure of the veto campaign, but did not intend to participate in a sham battle. They demanded a straight fight. They would stand by their pledges, and djd not know whether they would succeed or whether the Irish cause would have once more to wait. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, in a speech at Lords the Budget was the weapon which Liverpool, said that in the fight with the ought to be fearlessly used.

IORD LANSXSOWNE'S POLICY.

REPRESENTATION OF GREAT INTERESTS. (deceived 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, March 18. . The "Standard" • summarises Lord Lansdowne's second chamber • policy as, follows: Veto powers not to be -weakened; the number of peers to be reduced, but the whole peerage to select representatives of their own body; ethers to sit

without election by virtue of public services; the Government of the day to select a number of peers with a tenure long enough for them not to be influenced by the general election; the principle of life peerages to be extended to cover representation of all schools of political thought and the great interests of the country.